Rolling bearing, rotating device, and method for manufacturing rolling bearing

Abstract

Provided is a rolling bearing that can both ensure durability and reduce rotational resistance. The rolling bearing includes a seal member that is mounted on an outer ring and that covers a space between an inner ring and the outer ring from an outer side in an axial direction, and grease disposed between a rolling element and the seal member. The seal member includes an annular pedestal portion in contact with the outer ring from an outer side in the axial direction, an extending portion that extends outward in the axial direction from an inner peripheral edge of the pedestal portion, and a flat surface portion that extends along a radial direction from an end edge of the extending portion on an outer side in the axial direction toward the inner ring. The grease includes an outer ring contact portion in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and a seal member contact portion in contact with the flat surface portion on an outer side in the axial direction and an inner ring side with respect to the outer ring contact portion. An area of the seal member contact portion is larger than a contact area between the grease and the extending portion as well as the pedestal portion of the seal member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rolling bearing comprising:
 an inner ring and an outer ring arranged coaxially with each other; 
 a rolling element disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; 
 a seal member that is mounted on one raceway ring of the inner ring and the outer ring and that covers a space between the inner ring and the outer ring from an outer side in an axial direction; and 
 grease disposed between the rolling element and the seal member, 
 wherein the seal member comprises:
 an annular pedestal portion in contact with the one raceway ring from an outer side in the axial direction, 
 an extending portion that extends axially outward from a peripheral edge on the raceway ring side of the pedestal portion; and 
 a flat surface portion that extends along a radial direction from an end edge of the extending portion on an outer side in the axial direction toward the other raceway ring, 
 
 wherein the grease comprises:
 a raceway ring contact portion in contact with a peripheral surface of the one raceway ring, the peripheral surface facing the other raceway ring, and 
 a seal member contact portion in contact with the flat surface portion on an axially inner side of the flat surface portion and on the other raceway ring side with respect to the raceway ring contact portion, 
 
 wherein an area of the seal member contact portion is larger than a combined contact area comprising a contact area between the grease and the extending portion as well as a contact area between the grease and the pedestal portion of the seal member, and 
 wherein the grease is not in contact with the extending portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The rolling bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the seal member contact portion comprises a center position of the grease in the radial direction when viewed in the longitudinal cross-section. 
 
     
     
       3. The rolling bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the raceway ring contact portion is provided at an interval in the axial direction from a contact portion between the one raceway ring and the pedestal portion. 
 
     
     
       4. The rolling bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the grease is not in contact with the pedestal portion. 
 
     
     
       5. The rolling bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the one raceway ring comprises a protruding portion that protrudes toward the other raceway ring side and on which a raceway surface is formed, 
 the protruding portion comprises an end surface that faces an outer side in the axial direction, that is connected to the peripheral surface at a peripheral edge on the outer raceway ring side, and that is in contact with the pedestal portion, and 
 the pedestal portion does not protrude toward the other raceway ring side with respect to the end surface when viewed in the longitudinal cross-section. 
 
     
     
       6. A rotating device comprising:
 a rotatably disposed rotating body; 
 a support body configured to rotatably support the rotating body; and 
 the rolling bearing according to  claim 1  interposed between the rotating body and the support body. 
 
     
     
       7. A method for manufacturing the rolling bearing of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 bringing the grease into contact with the one raceway ring, and applying the grease such that the grease protrudes outward in the axial direction and toward the other raceway ring side from a contact portion with the one raceway ring; 
 bringing the seal member close to the one raceway ring from an outer side in the axial direction and bringing the flat surface portion into contact with an end edge of the grease on an outer side in the axial direction; and 
 bringing the seal member close to the one raceway ring, bringing the pedestal portion into contact with the one raceway ring from an outer side in the axial direction, and pressing the grease inward in the axial direction by the flat surface portion.